Team Spotlight: Meet Suzie Dahl, Experience, Community & Craft at Chula’s

At the heart of Chula’s is a team deeply committed to quality, hospitality, and community, and few embody that commitment more fully than Suzie Dahl. With decades of experience in the wine and spirits industry and a shared passion for bringing people together, Suzie plays an integral role in shaping the Chula’s experience.

Suzie is also the life partner of Manny Perez, and together they bring a shared vision rooted in family, hospitality, and meaningful connection to the community.

A Career Defined by Expertise & Relationships

As a former wine and spirits wholesaler, Suzie spent over 20 years working directly with some of the nation’s top restaurants, chefs, and hospitality leaders. Throughout her career, she developed strong relationships with premier producers and distributors while gaining extensive knowledge of wine, spirits, and beverage programs at the highest level.

Her role required more than product knowledge, it demanded trust, consistency, and a deep understanding of how beverage programs enhance the guest experience. That expertise now plays a key role in shaping Chula’s approach to drinks, service, and overall atmosphere.

Suzie and "Chula".

Bringing Beverage Knowledge to the Chula’s Vision

Suzie’s background allows Chula’s to approach its beverage program with intention and confidence. Her understanding of sourcing, quality, and balance ensures that every selection, from spirits to wine, aligns with the restaurant’s standards and story.

Beyond the menu itself, Suzie’s insight influences how guests experience Chula’s: how drinks are presented, how flavors complement the food, and how the bar becomes a space for connection and celebration. Her experience elevates the entire guest journey.

Passion for Community Comes First

Suzie shares Manny’s deep passion for community involvement and believes that great restaurants should serve as gathering places, spaces that feel welcoming, inclusive, and rooted in their surroundings. Her work behind the scenes helps ensure Chula’s reflects those values, not just in design and offerings, but in how it shows up for Prior Lake.

Whether through thoughtful partnerships, intentional planning, or supporting the larger vision of Chula’s, Suzie brings both heart and professionalism to everything she does.

A Partner in Vision, On Every Level

Suzie’s role at Chula’s blends personal commitment with professional expertise. Her partnership with Manny is built on shared values, mutual respect, and a belief that hospitality is about more than service, it’s about creating experiences that last.

Together, they are building something meaningful: a restaurant that honors tradition, embraces quality, and welcomes the community like family.

We are proud to have Suzie as part of the Chula’s leadership team and grateful for the depth of knowledge, passion, and care she brings to the table. Her influence will be felt in every glass poured, every gathering hosted, and every guest welcomed through our doors.